Breeders' Cup Television Ratings Up From 2009

Zenyatta proved popular across the United States Nov. 6 as television ratings soared for the second day of the Breeders’ Cup, which was highlighted by the mare's appearance in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I).

From 6:15-7:15 p.m. EDT, the segment that included the Classic, ESPN reported overnight ratings of 3.1, compared with a 1.1 for the final hour a year ago. Ironically, Zenyatta also ran during that time segment in 2009, but was not nearly as well-known on a national basis.

For the 3:45-6:15 p.m. portion of the Nov. 6 telecast, also on ESPN, ratings registered a 2.4, up substantially from a 1.0 a year ago. In the early segment Nov. 6 from 1:30-3:30 p.m., telecast by ABC, the Breeders’ Cup did a 1.7, up from 1.0 in 2009.

Each overnight rating point equates to approximately 1 million households.

For the opening day of Breeders’ Cup action Nov. 5, shown on ESPN2, the races registered a .4, up from .3 in 2009.